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West Lafayette, Indiana

Located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, West Lafayette was established in 1836. Purdue University — one of the top engineering schools in the world. Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, was a Purdue alum.
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Founded 1836 | Population 50,000 | Peak 50,000 (2024) | County Tippecanoe County

Top 10 Most Important Events for West Lafayette, Indiana

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1836 Founded: West Lafayette was founded in Tippecanoe County.
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1869 Purdue: Purdue University.
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1886 Economic Development: West Lafayette grew through the automobile industry.
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1890 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define West Lafayette's character and economy.
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2010 Modern Era: West Lafayette continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
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Latest News in West Lafayette

Mar 19, 2026
Tragedy Strikes After Police Discover Toddler Dead In A Closet 
A tragic case of alleged neglect in Indiana has left a 2-year-old girl dead
Jun 12, 2016
What Primaries Mean Donald Trump
Washington, D.C. – As the summer of 2016 heated up, Donald Trump’s romp through the Republican primaries stood out as a de…
May 19, 2016
She was Tears Indiana Woman Upset After Trooper Accuses her Doing Meth
Indiana, IN – On a routine traffic stop that turned into a nightmare, an Indiana woman found herself in tears after a state troo…
May 18, 2016
Trump Cruz Mathematically Out Race
Washington, D.C. – In the thick of the 2016 Republican primary season, Donald Trump solidified his grip on the nomination on May…
May 9, 2016
Thousands Indiana Residents Lose Food Stamp Benefits
Indiana – On May 9, 2016, a wave of frustration swept through the state as thousands of Hoosiers suddenly found themselves cut o…
May 5, 2016
Bernie Sanders Our Worst Days We Are 100 Times Better Any Republican
On May 5, 2016, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders fired up his supporters with a sharp dig at the Republican field during a rally in …

Complete Historical Timeline

1836 Culture
Founded
1869 Culture
Purdue
1886 Industry
Economic Development
1890 Culture
Higher Education
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Purdue University — one of the top engineering schools in the world.
2
Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, was a Purdue alum.
3
Classic college town across the Wabash from Lafayette.
4
West Lafayette is located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
5
West Lafayette was founded in 1836.

Famous People from West Lafayette, Indiana

KB
Katie Bouman
Electrical Engineer, Computer Scientist · Born May 9, 1989 · Age 36
AJ
Anissa Jones
Actor · Born Mar 11, 1958 · Died Aug 28, 1976 (age 18)
AE
Amanda Elmore
Rower · Born Mar 13, 1991 · Age 34
MP
Marshall Plumlee
Basketball Player · Born Jul 13, 1992 · Age 33
BB
Brian Binnie
Military Officer, Test Pilot · Born Apr 26, 1953 · Died Sep 15, 2022 (age 69)

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